NIGERIA @61: ODUFOLAKUN REBECCA & AYINDE LUKMAN STOLE THE SPOTLIGHT AT 7TH EDITION OF OBA SHOTOBI INDEPENDENCE DAY MINI MARATHON IN IKORODU ®™√ INN Nigeria ©
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In Ikorodu division, the 2021 Oba Kabir Shotobi Independence Day Mini Marathon attained another milestone success as Nigeria marked its 61st October celebration, returning its annual athletic spectacle in a grand style.
Receiving personalities like Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi (Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom), Oba Olukayode Raji (Eweye Of Isiu), Oba Orimadegun Kasali (Adegboruwa of Igbogbo Kingdom), Senator Seye Ogunlewe, Chief Asipa Kaoli Olusanya, Mr Gafaar Bolowotan (DG Lagos State Sports Commission), Otunba Ayodele Elesho, Mrs Adekanye Anike (Education District 2 Tutor General), Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba (Vice-Chairman Ikorodu LG), Hon Sulaimon Olarenwaju (Chairman, Ikorodu West LCDA) etc, the event lived up to its hype in all ramifications.
With 520 Students Registered, 458 Students were medically cleared by the Lagos State Sports Commission, eventually participating in the intense 7th edition of the mini-marathon.
In all, 436 Athletes from 30 Government Registered Private Schools and 29 Public Schools in lkorodu Division, consisting of 173 Females and 263 Males successfully went through the lap that flagged off from the Ayangburen’s palace and ended at the Igbogbo road police station.
Before the get-go, Oba (Engr.) Kabir Adewale Shotobi (Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom) in his prep speech encouraged all participants to count themselves lucky for being screened successfully to partake in the historic event which will be written in the history book of Ikorodu division.
“Organisers of this 7th edition has done their due diligence to put the necessary logistics in place for all athletes to have a fulfilling race, standing by the rules and knowing that even before getting to the finish line, you’re a winner in your right and ability is key to victory”
“We are celebrating our 61st independence day in this fashion to discover talents that will eventually succeed in future athletic events on an international scale, which will thus elevate the prospect of Ikorodu division to the global audience” Oba Kabir Adewale Shotobi Added
Director general of the Lagos state sports commission, Mr Oluwatoyin Gafaar Bolowotan appreciated the organisers of the event, vowing more support to enhance the annual sport subsequently.
“Without any doubt, this competition is getting bigger in scale from all intent and purposes, it will eventually cross the shores of Ikorodu division, the sports commission is proud to be a supportive part of this marathon race, which will engage the young ones more and keep them away from every form of societal ills”
“We’re going to increase our measure of supporting this annual course, though not giving the participants monetary gifts, But through the organisers, we shall present more sophisticated packages to create huge leverage for the excitement and anticipation of the event in the coming edition” Gafaar Bolowotan Asserted
The Winners from the male category: Ayinde Lukman Olawunmi (1st position) from Ikorodu Senior grammar school with 44mins:43secs, Sarumi Rasaq (2nd position) from Luwasa Senior High School with 44mins 54secs, Ozurumba Promise (3rd position) from Elepe Community Junior High School with 45mins:25secs, Oluwatuyi Michael Boluwatife (4th position) from Yewa Senior Grammar School with 45mins 38secs, Ishola Ayomide Uzodinma (5th position) from Luwasa Senior High School with 46mins:22secs, 6th position from Ansar-Ud-Deen Senior Grammar School with 47mins:23secs, Abdulmalik lbrahim Olatunde (7th position) from Oriwu Model College with 47mins:29secs, Alloy Ifeanyi John (8th position) from Imota Community Senior Grammar School with 47mins:45secs, Idowu lbrahim Oluwadamilare (9th position) from Luwasa Senior High School with 47mins:48secs, Gbadamosi Babatunde (10th position) from Ikorodu Senior Grammar School with 48mins:06secs.
Chairman of the organising committee, Mr Akeem Bello emphasised the significance of the event as it projects further into the larger base for community development purposes.
“With about 90 athletes some 7 years ago, we kick-started this event not knowing how far it would grow, But today we’re looking at the hundreds of promising young lads, cut across Ikorodu division seizing the opportunity to raise the bar and eventually become a trailblazer in the world of sports not just in Ikorodu or Lagos state, but also the world”
“We couldn’t afford to mark the event in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic, but as you can see now in 2021, we’re back, bigger better and stronger. Events like this keep the mind of our youths busy, letting them know that there are better opportunities for them to have a great future rather than dwell in activities that would make them constitute a nuisance”
“What we’re seeing today shows that when you plan well in life, the sky is your stepping stone and not your limit. Opportunities in this event are presenting themselves to the best and capable athletes not backed by favouritism or sentiments. This is why participants must equip themselves ahead to become the best”
Female category winners includes; Odufolakun Rebecca Oluwatobi (1st position) from Luwasa Senior High School with 49mins:34secs, Bashiru Awawu (2nd position) from United Senior High School with 51mins:34secs, Akanbi Muslimat (3rd position) from Luwasa Senior High School with 53mins:59secs, Saka Aliyat Tinuade (4th position) from Alake College, ljede with 54mins:24secs, Kayode Rukayat Temidire (5th position) from Luwasa Junior High School with 54mins:47secs, Giwa Boluwatife Kafayat (6th position) from Yewa Senior Grammar School with 54mins:52secs, Kusoro Oluwabusayo Kemi (7th position) from Yewa Senior Grammar School with 54mins:53secs, Oyebo Omotayo Elepe (8th position) from Community Senior Grammar School with 55mins:14secs, Patrick Favour Otolone (9th position) from Luwasa Senior High School with 55mins:46secs, and 10th position from Luwasa Senior High School with 56mins:33secs.
The sponsor and initiator of the event, Hon SOB Agunbiade (Majority Leader, Lagos state house of assembly representing Ikorodu constituency 1), thanked all participants for enduring and persevering through the laps despite their positions or outcomes.
“Looking at everything we’ve been through coming out of covid-19 pandemic which is still having lingering effects on our economy, I had some reservations in going ahead to execute this event, but faith kept us through and today we’re making history once again in Ikorodu division by launching our future stars through this platform”
“We’re grateful to everyone that came out in mass to support this 7th edition of the Oba Shotobi Independence Day mini-marathon, we thank our Tutor general for Education district 2 (Mrs Adekanye Anike) for providing us with two giant trophies, we thank our Ayangburen of Ikorodu Kingdom, The Eweye of Isiu and Adegboruwa of Igbogboland, we thank all our stakeholders, supporters and including all participants that made this great event a success. We’re looking forward to a bigger and better mini-marathon ahead” Hon SOB Agunbiade Averred
Cash prices ranging from N50,000 – N30,000 and N20,000 were gifted to winners while additional cash gifts came from the Ayangburen of Ikorodu kingdom and other guests present to uplift the spirit of participants.
Others in attendance were; Dr Fatai Abiodun Abatan (Lagos State sports commission board member representing Ikorodu), Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo (Chairman Ikorodu Oga Development Association IKODASS), Comrade Fakolade Oluwaseun JP (Chairman, Nigeria Union Of Teachers Ikorodu Branch), Mr Hakeem Olukunga (Chairman, NAPHERSD Lagos Chapter), Ameen Olawale Ibrahim (Vice-Chairman Ikorodu North LCDA), Hon Azeez Jimoh Olosugbo and Mr Hassan Oluwakemi.